NOAA designates Hollings Marine Lab as one of three “Centers of Excellence”

One of the worst-kept secrets at Fort Johnson became official this week when brass from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration formally named a local lab as one of three “Centers of Excellence” in the agency’s Oceans and Human Health Initiative.

The Hollings Marine Laboratory, the newest high-tech addition to the research campus at the tip of James Island, will share the new designation with NOAA laboratories in Ann Arbor, Mich., and Seattle.

In immediate terms, the announcement clears the way for an initial award of $2.05 million in federal money for the lab.

“We’re very excited about the research we’re about to embark upon,” said HML Director Fred Holland.

Congress gave its approval to the Oceans and Human Health Initiative in 2003, attaching roughly $18 million in funding.

Its emphasis on the relationship between people and the environment is equal parts public relations and practicality.

“This will start an entirely new approach to ocean research,” said U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings, D-S.C, who pushed the bill through Congress.

Most people don’t fully appreciate the relationship between human health and the marine environment, said Hollings, who also predicted that the oceans will be a major source of new drugs.

Each center will focus on different subjects. The Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle will emphasize studies of bacteria, marine biotoxins and toxic chemicals. The Great Lakes Environmental Laboratory will make water quality issues its centerpiece.

The lab on James Island will apply genetic techniques to a variety of topics, track marine pathogens to their sources and study “chemical contaminants of concern,” including pharmaceuticals.

Richard Rosen, assistant administrator for NOAA Research, said the agency will announce the winners of the initiative’s external grants program next.